November 9, 2024
Jeff Siegel’s “What You Need to Know”
Del Mar
RACE 3: Post: 1:30 PT Grade: B
Top Selection/Prime Play: 2-Big Mama Sue
Backups: 3-Tiergarten; 5-Empress Ellie
Toss Ins: none.
Forecast: At this stage of her career it’s pretty clear that Big Mama Sue much prefers turf to dirt, and after a couple of below par outings on the main track the veteran mare returns to her favorite surface and should be capable of regaining her best form. A two-time winner over the Del Mar lawn, with two seconds and a third in eight starts, the daughter of Mr. Big switches to A, Fresu, is comfortably drawn inside, and can be expected to produce a strong late kick, assuming the race shape is in her favor. With several back speed figures that are good enough to beat this field, she’s a fairly solid top selection and is worth a win play at or near her morning line of 7/2.
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RACE 5: Post: 2:30 PT Grade: B+
Top Selection/Prime Play: 10-Steak Fries
Back-ups: 5- Prince Dolce
Toss Ins: none
Forecast: Steak Fries appears to have found a home on grass, as a son of Sir Prancealot should. After finishing far back in his debut sprinting on the dirt, the C. Lewis-trained juvenile stepped forward big time when switched to the sod, demolishing his foes by four widening lengths after a stylish pace-pressing trip. Though he’s drawn farther outside than we’d care for, this developing California-bred colt should have no difficulty getting over to secure a comfortable spot before the field hits the far turn to avoid losing too much ground. At 2-1 on the morning line he’ll offer reasonable value in the win pool and as a key in the various rolling exotics.
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